Best Occupational Therapy in Perth for Children

What occupational therapy involves for children

Occupational therapy for kids focuses on the 'occupations' of childhood — playing, learning, self-care and taking part in family and school life. An occupational therapist looks at how your child manages tasks and where they might be struggling, then works on the underlying skills.

Common areas of support include:

• Fine motor skills — holding a pencil, using scissors, doing up buttons, threading and building.
• Gross motor and coordination — balance, ball skills and moving confidently.
• Sensory processing — helping children who are over- or under-sensitive to sounds, textures, movement or touch.
• Daily-living skills — dressing, toileting, eating and packing a school bag.
• Attention, regulation and play — supporting focus, emotional regulation and social play.

Therapists often work through play, because that's how children learn best. They may also coach parents and liaise with teachers so strategies carry over at home and school.

Signs a child might benefit from OT

Every child develops at their own pace, but you might consider an assessment if your child:

• Avoids or tires quickly with drawing, writing or cutting.
• Struggles with dressing, using cutlery or other self-care tasks well past the usual age.
• Seems clumsy, bumps into things or has trouble with balance.
• Is very sensitive to noise, textures, food or clothing tags — or seeks out lots of movement and touch.
• Finds it hard to sit still, follow routines or manage transitions.
• Has been flagged by a teacher, GP or paediatrician for a developmental review.

If you have concerns, a chat with your GP or child health nurse is a sensible first step. This guide is general information only and is not medical advice.

Suitable ages

OT can help from the early years right through primary and high school. Early support is often recommended because young children's skills are still developing rapidly, but it's never 'too late' — teens can also benefit, particularly with independence and self-care skills.

What a first appointment looks like

The first session is usually an assessment and information-gathering appointment. Expect the therapist to:

• Ask about your child's history, routines, strengths and challenges.
• Observe your child playing or completing some simple tasks.
• Sometimes use standardised assessments to measure skills against age norms.
• Discuss your goals and what you'd like to work on.

Afterwards, the therapist typically writes up findings and recommends a plan — how often to attend, what goals to target and roughly how long support might be needed. Bring any reports from paediatricians, teachers or other therapists, plus your NDIS plan if you have one.

Typical costs and NDIS funding

As a general guide, occupational therapy sessions in Australia commonly range from around $180 to $220 per hour, with assessments and detailed reports charged separately. The NDIS publishes price limits (caps) for therapy supports each year, and many providers align their fees with these. Prices vary between clinics and change over time, so always confirm current fees directly with the provider.

Under the NDIS, OT usually sits within the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. If your child has an NDIS plan, funding may cover assessments, therapy sessions, reports and some travel. Depending on how your plan is managed (self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed), you may have more or fewer choices about which provider you use — NDIA-managed plans generally require an NDIS-registered provider.

Outside the NDIS, some families access support through Medicare's Chronic Disease Management (a limited number of subsidised allied health visits with a GP referral) or private health extras cover. Ask each clinic what payment options they accept.

How to choose an OT provider in Perth

When comparing clinics, look at more than the star rating:

• Therapist credentials — occupational therapists are registered with AHPRA and many belong to Occupational Therapy Australia. You can verify registration online.
• NDIS registration — check whether the provider is NDIS-registered, especially if your plan is NDIA-managed. Plan-managed and self-managed families can also use non-registered providers.
• Paediatric experience — ask whether they regularly work with children of your child's age and needs.
• Waitlists — Perth demand is high and waitlists can stretch weeks or months. Ask early and consider joining more than one list.
• Location and telehealth — Perth clinics span Subiaco, Nedlands, Wembley, Booragoon, Bibra Lake, Gosnells, Armadale, Dianella, Stirling and South Fremantle. Some offer telehealth or home/school visits, which can save travel time.
• Fit with your child — a warm, playful rapport matters. It's fine to trial a session before committing.

Questions to ask before you book

• What are your fees for assessment, sessions and reports, and do they align with NDIS price limits?
• Is your therapist AHPRA-registered and experienced with children like mine?
• Are you an NDIS-registered provider, and can you work with my plan type?
• What's your current waitlist?
• Do you offer telehealth, home or school visits?
• How do you involve parents and communicate with schools?
• What does a typical therapy block look like, and how do you measure progress?

Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a provider who's the right match for your family — and gives your child the best chance to build skills and confidence.